We are a forward-looking membership organisation for finance and banking professionals looking to achieve their full career potential, helping to bolster female contribution to the industry along the way.

We recognise those leading the industry. We celebrate our members. Our annual awards ceremony is the most sought-after event of the year, offering our members and supporters the chance to honour achievement.

Awards for Achievement

Celebrating top talent in the banking and finance industry, WIBF’s Awards for Achievement is a vibrant occasion to remember.

With categories for young achievers, experienced professionals, champions for women and diverse teams, the awards have shone the spotlight on influential leaders for two decades.

Visit the Awards section on this website to discover how to nominate and buy tickets for the next event. In 2018, WIBF is honoured that Citi is headline sponsor of the Awards for Achievement.

2018 Sponsors

Citi - Headline Sponsor

“Having people from a variety of backgrounds and experiences in our teams brings different perspectives to the table, enhances decision-making, and improves overall business performance. Citi’s continued relationship with WIBF allows us to honour our diversity goals, in-relation to supporting women both at Citi and in the wider financial services industry to ensure female representation continues to grow and is appropriately recognised.” – Jim Cowles, EMEA CEO, Citi,

“Lloyds Banking Group is proud to support the Women in Banking and Finance Shortlist Dinner, which honours the women and men that judges have recognised as stand out talent across the industry. We are especially pleased this year to be presenting the Award for Achievement. This is a prestigious award recognising a female leader who is delivering significant impact to the sector and beyond.”

Barclays - Young Professional Award Sponsor

“Barclays are delighted to sponsor the 2018 Young Professional Award, with just over 45% of our colleagues under the age of 35 it is important for us to nurture, grow and of course recognise the contribution of this talented part of our workforce.”

Wendy Papworth, Director, Global Diversity and Inclusion, Barclays

Credit Suisse - Champion for Women Sponsor

Credit Suisse is delighted to sponsor the 2018 Champion for Women Award. Our employee, Tracy Jordan, received the 2017 award due to her outstanding contribution to the Modern Muse program. Winning the award further elevated the profile of Modern Muse resulting in increased funding, global expansion and the launch of the Modern Muse Next Steps initiative.

Santander - Rising Star Award Sponsor

This year Santander was listed as one of the top 50 employers for women in the UK by The Times in recognition of our initiatives to equalise the gender pay gap, such as our Accelerating You Women’s Leadership Programme, Returnship Programme and commitment to the HM Treasury’s Women in Finance Charter to achieve 50% [+/- 10%] women in senior roles by 2021 across the bank. We are proud to sponsor the 2018 WIBF Rising Star Award.

What our nominees have said:

“I had the privilege of attending the WIBF Awards event last year and remember feeling an overwhelming sense of pride and admiration for the community of women who surrounded me. For the challenges they had overcome, for the irrepressible ambition they had shown and for the examples that they were able to set to those young women – of which I was one - who might wonder ‘Can I really do this?’

To be shortlisted for the Rising Star award brings back that sense of pride, it is the collective response ‘Yes you can!’ that we have all needed to hear at some point, and it reassures me that from hard work will come recognition and support, irrespective of gender, sexual orientation, ethnicity or religion.”

Rachael Coomber, Rising Star shortlist, 2018

“It is a real honour for us to be shortlisted against all the other leaders who are spending time driving the D&I agenda across our industry. This acknowledgement has motivated us (even more now) to continue to drive Women Connect which is benefitting so many individuals within our division. Raising the profile of Women Connect will attract more attention from senior leaders who we need to get behind us and provide support to further grow Women Connect.”

“It is an honour to be named amongst so many talented and inspiring women in our industry.

WIBF plays such an important role in encouraging and empowering female talent, and I am truly humbled that my achievements could be recognised in this public way. It is my sincere hope that by sharing my experiences within the industry I am able to help other junior female talent negotiate the opportunities and challenges we all face in the early stages of our careers.”

Rafaella Copper, Award for Achievement shortlist 2018

“It feels fantastic to be shortlisted, WIBF plays such an important role in encouraging and empowering women. I am not somebody to talk about my own achievements so am lucky that my co-chair of Balance (HSBCs Gender Diversity ERG) took the time to put me forward and share the work I have done managing our mentoring programme for the last 5 years. I am very proud to have connected so many people who have gone on to have successful mentoring relationships.”